>> modestly optimistic that an agreement can be achieved. that is the take of president barack obama after meeting with congressional leaders. our top story seen or run the country tonight. live in our newsroom with negotiations going into the weekend. our focus now shifts to the senate obama says he is modestly optimistic that leaders can craft a deal. leaders of the

house and senate met with president barack obama at the white house this afternoon where they heard that if two sides do not agree on a bill the president will urge the democratic senate to put forth a measure anyway. american people will not have any patients for a politically self-inflicted wound to the economy. the economy is growing but sustaining that trend is gong to require a elected officials to do their jobs. mitch mcconnell and his democratic counterpart harry reid are supposed to keep talking tomorrow there could be a breakthrough by the end of this weekend but the president

has repeatedly demanded for the extension of tax cuts below $250,000. illinois comptroller judy thinks that the impact on illinois could be as high as $1 billion if lawmakers don't strike a deal before the deadline. social security and income tax increases would lower the state's revenue by up to 5 billion. this is all coming down the pipe because we have yahoos in congress who can't sit down and to do the job. pessimism helped push stocks down friday for a fifth straight day the industrial average dropped 158 points. paul lisnek says lawmakers know what's at stake if we passed the deadline with no deal.

>>, chris can peddle their way back the economy may not be able to withstand the pressure, it's too fragile so i really believe that members of congress will actually put the needs and the welfare of the country ahead of their own political future. >> we had a significant murder rate here in chicago the 500th person was killed last night mayor emanuel calls it an unfortunate and tragic milestone. terry mccarthy calling the numbers tragic the spokesperson saying 80 percent of these homicides are gang- related people we talked to said no matter where they happen to the need to be stopped.

nathaniel jackson was pronounced dead early this morning hours after being gunned down outside this convenience store thursday night in the austin neighborhood. this death marks of 500 homicides in chicago this year a number we have not seen since 2008. community activists holmes was following last night's deadly attack, one of 400 he's responded to this year. holmes like many others has praised superintendent gary mccarthy's initiative to refocus police efforts in high crime areas today he called the homicide unacceptable saying:

overall the homicide rate is up 15% from last year a statistic that does not sit well with many chicagoans. it's very dangerous. if i'm not going to verse, i go in my house, i don't go out anymore i don't do anything. . new york mayor michael bloomberg talking about the city's statistics on homicides rates is about to hit a record low this year the lowest number they have seen in 18 years. it has tripled the population of the city of

chicago. the last inmates at the super max have been moved out the closure will save money demonstrators protest to the prison last april demonstrating against the isolation imposed on inmates there was a 15 year experiment on prisons which advocates believe the state still needs. the last five inmates were moved to the pontiac correctional center today. this ends four years of chapter 11 protection among them the tribune controls a major daily newspapers and nearly two dozen tv stations including wgn. a minor gun charge may be taking a potential

congressional candidate out of the running coming up with a man once believed to be the favorite to replace jesse jackson jr.... good news tonight on that president bush's recovery. tom skilling says we could see daytime temperatures fall below freezing for the first time this season the sports caster is coming up. the field of candidates

wanted to take over jesse jackson jr. is shrinking a senator dropped out which makes for some legal trouble. we haven't heard a peep from donnie trotter today but a spokesperson says that he will hold a press conference tomorrow to announce his campaign for the second district seat is over. it's another plot twist with the main character dropping out of the race donnie trotter

was arrested for trying to take a gun into animal onto a plane he said he forgot to take it out of his bag after working his side job as a security guard. he already had the influential report of the sword and township chairman ultimately democrats didn't endorse anyone and it's not much of a surprise. it had to be a tough decision for him and his family but it was our right one. for the rest of the cast the show goes on among the democrats vying for the seat second district congressman mel

reynolds napoleon harris and toi hutchinson and anthony biele says he is now the only contender who lives in chicago. i have a great strong relationship in the south suburban area i think i have a very unique scenario on the road to victory. robin kelly said she has been preparing for this role her whole life. i have done the grassroots, i have done legislative. >> he won that easily into went on to win the november election before resigning amid an ongoing battle with bipolar disorder. i took on the tough fight i am the only one that will be able to deliver on day one. the candidates seem to agree that

the main issue in this race is jobs on thursday they can start filing their petitions and springfield to get on the ballot and in this heavily democratic district whoever wins the democratic primary set for february is expected to go on to win the general special election on april 9th. former president george herbert in group spertus denied even though he remains in the hospital. the former president recovering from a persistent fever and a bout with bronchitis and the hospital atin the hospital at i see you. his fever forced them to keep him little while longer. at 89 years old he is the oldest

living former president. his military peers also praised him. he was also an extremely compassionate man. he is survived by his wife and three children arrangements for his funeral have not been announced either. glover died of colon cancer this past monday she was 57 years old promoted to managing editor in 2009 of ebony

she is survived by his husband and two daughters from the drew peterson murder trial to the meeting seen all around the world will look back some of the big local trials in 2012 and the program aimed at keeping at rescued out of trouble in giving back to the community. this is america.

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it's not an upgrade to your phone. it's an upgrade to yourself. for the second time this month somebody has been pushed to their deaths in front of the new york city subway train the woman ethanal at the center of the city wide search ran after pushing a man in front of the tracks she shoved the man into the path of a train. the connecticut police union wants help for the first responders for the shooting in newtown they fear that what officer saw could lead to a long lasting trauma. we're basically looking for a funding mechanism to make sure that officers have

the money available to continue their paycheck. connecticut workers compensation to not offer much mental and emotional health the new town police are resilient and they're doing the very best they can 2012 was a busy year for federal and state county court rooms in the area. not only did it have all of the media attention but you also have the legal situation as to whether or not here say was going to be admitted. this is the first case in illinois where you were allowed to hear the so- called statements from the dead. jerry sullivan says the drew peterson case was huge not only because of the media but because

of the appeal that goes all the way to the top it's so important because it will go maybe even to the u.s. supreme court based on whether or not the constitution clause would have brought in statements. another big ruling this year the trial against anthony abbate who was caught on tape being a bartender. that was very important to the city because the city is now appraised with the judges. they're going to be able to say there was a natural cover up and in fact they will be able to use that. the city was really hoping that the judge would throw out

the verdict. and that they wouldn't be able to cited as precedents. and christopher bond was convicted of killing his wife and three children. the prosecutors in a very meticulous manner were able to put together all kinds of scientific evidence another big one this year at the murder trial for william bell for the man convicted of killing jennifer hudson's family member. people

don't even look at whether or not they're going to kill an adult or a child finally an historic moment for illinois broadcasters to begin live broadcasting of a trial. i think what happened this past year nobody has any real serious complications with the way the camera was handled i think you will see it a lot more in the coming years. a cure to the new year's hangover may already be in your kitchen. and learning valuable lessons about life the new program aimed at helping keep chicago public schools

children hospital saw off the street and out of trouble.

foron the medical watch tonight a

new study finds that cannabis makes paint a more bearable instead of actually reducing net. the active ingredient t h c reduces brain activity in areas lead to emotional reaction university researchers studied 12 healthy men who were given t h c or a placebo. the pain bother them a little bit less. a new study finds the key to taking your new year's hangover could already be in your kitchen scientists learned that chemicals in asparagus could ward off the effects of a hangover. the study also found that chemicals in vegetables could protect liver cells against toxins if you live along the lake you may not be done

with the snow just yet not by a long shot which could be seeing it more like effect over the weekend the forecast is coming up.

get back on the field you game time racers... because at kenmore appliances we get it. that's why with 35% more speed america's number one brand gets clothes cleaner, faster. we put more in, so you get more out. kenmore. the areas that got most of the

snow today, it's quite interesting. there could be some snow that new year's eve. pam anderson captured this and up in libertyville near the desk plaines river a beautiful wintry scene. and in arlington heights deanna captured this beautiful view. it's a beautiful scene. she is the wife of steve our

colleague here at wgn. lots of clouds today these produced snow this morning. these things will brush the shoreline and go into northwest indiana. then a pretty good plume of snow sets up late tomorrow night feeding into indiana. not a huge amount of snow will come down up to seven

tenths of an inch in this spot. freeze advisory's in florida down along the gulf coast tonight and wind chill advisory's up north we may be visited by that cold air this storm has two pieces to it. look at the radar returns there this is headed into the same terrain that saw a big snow earlier in the week. it's pretty impressive but the tallest clouds the one producing the heaviest precipitation clearly

down to the south of us. we got in on that some areas particularly close to the lake. upwards of 6 in. in missouri. this is what is missing to the south. didn't know there was an evans illinois. this system will consolidate and to blow off of the east coast producing big snows and the new england. this is quite interesting, a couple of our models developed a wave that could come up and this could have an impact on new year's eve. that could have big

implications for new year's eve if that is true. cold air which has spertus up until this point may be visiting us in the coming weeks. look how cold it gets at night particularly as we go northwest of here. even in this city we have been 308 days without a temperature at or above or below freezing is what i'm trying to say. scattered

flurries in lending during the day tomorrow partly sunny on sunday could be subfreezing day in this city with 29 degrees. it was nice of you to put them on there. a program is helping

students making schools more beautiful. dean richards review of the new flick promised land. ú@it is a chance for a chicago

public school students to help the community and learn important skills a valuable program has kids busy on their christmas break. it started with the metals and on that we to a stain and on that we do a nice protective coat. she is one of 40 students taking part in the auditorium seeding project a community organization that hires cps do vince repair dilapidated auditoriums at various schools throughout the district. they are paid $10 an hour to do painting welding at carpentering and other trades.

it kind of refocuses the fact that they had something to do. the program helps give students a sense of responsibility sprucing up auditoriums like this one at an elementary school where graffiti and gang signs covered the seats. each student must have a c average and is recommended by the principal 90 percent of them are kept busy working and off the streets they're also taught financial skills and courage to open bank accounts in to save their money they earn. the group will work

for the rest of the school year and it's so popular there is actually a waitlist for students waiting to get an matt damon is teaming up with jim from the office at the movies this weekend dean richards reviews the fell next and a familiar face back on the practice field for the bears but will he play on sunday rich king has the details later in sports. so, this board gives me rates for progressive direct and other car insurance companies? yes. but you're progressive and they're them. yes. but they're here. yes. are you...? there? yes. no. are you them? i'm me. but those rates are for... them. so them are here. yes! you want to run through it again? no, i'm good. you got it? yes. rates for us and them -- now that's progressive.

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at kmart. dean richards reduce promised land. >> the same way that matt damon teamed up with ben affleck in 1997 for goodwill hunting now he has teamed up with jim from the office to write the screenplay

and co-star in their new movie promised land the story of fracking injecting water deep into the earth to extract natural gas he plays a slip trap for a big money energy co. who was waving money in front of the faces of an economically depressed town for rights to exploit their land and the environmental damage that can be caused by fracking launching a grass-roots battle against the company pitting the two men against each other politically and also for the attention of the preschool teacher in town.

it was incredibly similar to writing with ben affleck the major difference is a lot of the time my four kids are jumping around. we were moonlighting i was on the show he was shooting a movie in california so i showed up to his house and we worked straight through dinner and did the same thing sunday but you are right i don't know how we got as much work done as we did because putting on the little mermaid 17 times and making a lunches and bath time, i don't know how we got along. he is probably going to be a pretty good that they both did a

good job year with the story and with this simple claim the performances especially from holbrooke and francis mcdonald who always makes the movie better. it is smart and it's a thought-provoking interesting dean's list b. if you would like to get my weekly movie review grades send your phone each week just tax the word deantext dean to 97999. that is a movie i want to see. very very

good. and matt damon is great look at this we are missing a snowstorm to the south. haven't even finished digging out of the last blizzard in there is more snow going through not as big we're watching this assembling line of precipitation on the lake are models suggest that may be flirting with the shoreline there you see the forecast tomorrow morning a pretty solid area of snow in the area. you can see the lake affect snow coming into our area. watch what happens out in the plains. this is our next system right here or at least one we will watch. we

are only up to 345 monday look at the cold air seeping into the plans we have been watching that from afar it will not be a long cold spell. we quickly moderate next week and again with another chance of snow late friday or saturday. the winds are common, it's this cloud cover at night that really has kept this month so warm because it prevents the cooling that goes on at night and keeps you close to the daytime high. that is where the bulk of the snow came out to you can see the driveway being plowed right

there. 64 percent of the country is covered by snow. 33 tomorrow. 28 and partly sunny on sunday. windy and cold air with a high only in the low 20s may be 20 on tuesday and upper teens on wednesday. haven't seen that yet this winter. after two ugly losses some good news the fighting 9

friday night the anticipation building with the chicago bears. are you nervous? i am worried about that second game in minnesota. good news today it appears math for table be able to play on sunday

in detroit. brian or lacquer is not listed as out for sunday's game. that means he will likely not play whether he was able to practice at all is significant news. the questions eventually wearing of the patients. brien doesn't necessarily have to practice before we play and we are not to that point. he had limited practice that's about all i can tell you. if he was playing of course i wouldn't tell you right now. we could talk amongst yourself to try to figure it out. he hasn't done anything into that he was able to do little bit. i cannot give

you much more than that. the bulls tried to snap a two games can the bulls may seem the return of rick hamilton in this game. he has got it ramped up pretty good and there hasn't been any problems so that's encouraging. again in practice to try to simulate game like conditions as much as you can but it's never quite the same so the intensity of the game is unique and we will see how he has lost that. he has lost three

in a row at the united center. we have to play every game like it is our last. we are looking to come out with a bang. a great environment, it's a great building an unbelievable city. it's a great recruiting area for us it's just a win when all the way around so we're excited to be here no one is more excited than my wife she loves the magnificent mile. so i'm going to grab my credit card. ohio wins a big 45-15. there are

reports tonight that the saints agreed to a five-year contract extension players and a new proposal to try to end the lock out. with 0.7 seconds left it's about the only way to do it. with 0.7 seconds left the ball goes up just in time for the win, amazing play. speaking of coaching coach levy handling those or lacquerurlaquer questions really well. >> i don't think they need him but why take a chance. we are

not annoying. thanks rich that is the news for this friday night thank you for watching everybody. from rich king and all of us here have a great weekend everybody and goodnight. get back on the field you game time racers... because at kenmore appliances we get it. that's why with 35% more speed america's number one brand gets clothes cleaner, faster. we put more in, so you get more out. kenmore.

♪ get to the after christmas blowout. up to 50% off all holiday storage.